The Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox meet Tuesday in MLB action from Fenway Park. This will be the opener of a quick two-game series. The Rays just finished up a weekend set against the Blue Jays, losing two of three games. As for Boston, they played the White Sox in their last series and lost two of three as well. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Tampa Bay Rays 

The Rays managed to power out a 7-6 win over the Blue Jays on Saturday, but otherwise lost 6-2 in the opener and 9-5 in the finale. During Sunday’s defeat, Tampa Bay had 13 team hits and every batter managed at least one. Isaac Paredes (homer; three RBI) and Junior Caminero were the only players to knock in a runner, though. 

The Rays are sending out Zack Eflin in the Tuesday start. So far this year Eflin is 15-8 with a 3.44 ERA in 30 starts. He’s got 182 Ks in 172.2 innings. Eflin has gone 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA in his last seven starts. 

Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts

The Rays have won each of their last nine night games against American League opponents following a home loss.
The Rays have covered the run line in eight of their last nine games as favorites against the Red Sox.
The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games against the Red Sox.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last eight games.
The Rays have won the first inning in each of their last four games against AL East opponents.

Boston Red Sox 

Over on the Red Sox’ side, they were able to beat the White Sox 3-2 in the opener of their weekend “Laundry Series” but then fell 1-0 and 3-2 in the remaining pair. In the finale Boston’s Adam Duvall and Wilyer Abreu each had a solo homer for the RBI. Kutter Crawford went 5.1 innings with three earned in the start. 

It’ll be Tanner Houck in the starting role for the Red Sox on Tuesday. This year over his 19 starts Houck is 5-9 with a 4.92 ERA and 91 Ks in 97.0 innings. Houck is 2-3 with a  4.32 ERA in his last seven starts. 

Boston Red Sox Team Facts

The Red Sox have lost each of their last six night games against AL East opponents.
The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven home games against the Rays following a home loss.
The Red Sox have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five night games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last four games between the Rays and Red Sox at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox have won the first inning in each of their last three home games against AL East opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Boston Red Sox rank 1st in the league for doubles this season (331).
The Boston Red Sox rank 3rd in the league for hits this season (1397).
The Tampa Bay Rays are one of only 2 teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and batting average this season.
The Tampa Bay Rays are one of only 2 teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and home runs this season.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stick with the Rays here. Both teams are coming off pretty rough weekend series and could use a good showing, though. Eflin has been solid over his last three starts, posting a 2-0 record with 17.0 innings, six earned, 14 hits and three walks total. As for Houck, he gave up five earned on eight hits and two walks in 5.1 innings during a loss to Baltimore back on September 8, but he’s been good in his last pair. Houck has two earned in 10.0 innings and a 1-0 record in those two. I like both starters to post quality outings in this one, with the score staying low until the later innings. Should be a fun matchup overall between two rivals.